Bangladesh team director hits back at Dasun Shanaka’s controversial statement

Dasun Shanaka (PC: Twitter)

It will be a do-or-die match for both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka when they will meet each other in the fifth Asia Cup 2022 match at the Dubai International stadium. The two teams lost their respective opening games against Afghanistan and another loss will rule them out of the tournament.

Ahead of the high-profile clash, the verbal clashes have caused a stir in the cricket fraternity. Following Bangladesh’s seven-wicket loss against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka delivered a controversial statement. The captain believes that the Tigers are easy opponents as they don’t have quality bowlers except for Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.

The verbal attack by Shanaka didn’t go well with the Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud. The management member slammed the all-rounder saying that Bangladesh have at least two good bowlers, unlike Sri Lanka who have none.

Mahmud takes a swipe at Shanaka

Playing against Afghanistan in the curtain-raiser, the island nation suffered an eight-wicket loss as Afghans chased the target of 106 runs within 10.1 overs. Speaking at a press conference in the UAE, Mahmud added,

"I don't know why [Sri Lanka skipper] Dasun Shanaka said such a thing. I heard that he said Bangladesh do not have [quality] bowlers except Shakib and Mustafizur. In fact, I do not see a single [quality] bowler in the Sri Lankan side. At least we have two [quality] bowlers. They do not even have anyone of the quality of Shakib and Mustafizur in their side."

Meanwhile, Mahmud is not the first person to give it back to Shanaka for his statement. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan also advised the Sri Lanka skipper to wait for Thursday before passing judgment on which team is better. He further added that any team can defeat a good side on the field by playing a good brand of cricket.

Also Read: Chris Silverwood predicts a strong Sri Lankan comeback against Bangladesh